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Mercedes-Benz B-Class reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present4 named generationsMPVDIESEL / PETROL / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz B-Class built around 2018: fails its MOT less often than average

Mercedes-Benz B-Class models built around 2018 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Mercedes-Benz B-Class by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz B-Class models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz B-Class models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your B-Class's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

B-Class W247

W247 (2019-present)

Too close to call between ratings
ELECTRICITYDIESELPETROL

9.1% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 3,744 MOT tests at this ageView details →
B-Class W246

W246 (2012-2018)

Too close to call between ratings
ELECTRICITYDIESELPETROL

16.5% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 2,536 MOT tests at this ageView details →
B-Class W245

W245 (2005-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

29.9% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 5,887 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz B-Class generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
W247 (2019-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings9.1%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 3,744 MOT tests at this age
W246 (2012-2018)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings16.5%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 2,536 MOT tests at this age
W245 (2005-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings29.9%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 5,887 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the B-Class, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz B-Class fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz B-Class ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6538.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,1238.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,7449.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
4,35811.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
5,26715.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
6,95016.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
6,54318.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
8,27220.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
10,54022.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
8,48623.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,41525.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,88729.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,11730.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,86230.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,63931.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,80232.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,55331.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
8529.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mercedes-Benz B-Class stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Mercedes-Benz models

10th of 15

10th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other people carriers

4th of 33

4th lowest fail rate of 33 people carriers with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

15.4%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz B-Class models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz B-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.7%
    Advisory: 922Fail: 211 (19% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.2%
    Advisory: 1,018Fail: 57 (5% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.3%
    Advisory: 587Fail: 62 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.5%
    Advisory: 405Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    4.8%
    Advisory: 210Fail: 104 (33% of the times it was found)

Based on 5,267 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz B-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz B-Class models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres36%
  2. Other + Tyres19%
  3. Lighting + Tyres14%
  4. Brakes + Other12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,113 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

65 recalls in all

36 of the 65 Mercedes-Benz B-Class recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 30 more

Top concerns

  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • Steering components may be insufficiently grounded
  • Starting current limiter may overload

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 15.4% for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Ford Tourneo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.2%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz B-Class on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,550 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Vauxhall Zafira

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.7%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz B-Class on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    10,737 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz B-Class on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,057 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz B-Class across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 10th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 5,267 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz B-Class ever sold: 87,296 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 5,267 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.